Heat transfer apparatus



oct. 14, 195s E. E. FLYNN 856361 HEAT `TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed Jari. 7, 1955 INVETOR.

d E A a' myzm@ ATTE! RN EYB United States Patent O v HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS Elwin E. Flynn, Grand Rapids, Mich. i Application January 7, 195s, serial No. 480,313

1 claim. (ci. 251-136) This invention relates to a heat transfer apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for heating or cooling air. t

`The object of the invention is to provide a heat transfer apparatus which will provide a highly effective and ecient means for heating or cooling a fluid medium such as air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heat transfer apparatus which can be used as a radiator in a home or lelse itcan be used as a means for cooling or heating air that is to be circulated through a home or building and whereby the surfaces of the apparatus are arranged so that there will bea maximum amount of heatV transfer between the various mediums.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heat transfer apparatus which is extremely simple and ineX pensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the heat transfer apparatus, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a modification, and with parts broken away and i-n section,

showing a spiral or cylindrical radiator positioned within the housing.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a further modiiication wherein a pair of radiator cores are positioned in the housing in inclined relation with respect to each other.

Figure 6 is a sectional View illustrating a further modification wherein the radiator cores have their upper ends abutting each other.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a hollow housing which can be made of any suitable material such as metal, and the housing 10 includes a bottom or an end wall 12 which is provided with a central opening 14, Figures 1 and 2. Arranged in the other end of the housing 10 is a plurality of spaced apart bars 13 which define a grill through which a suitable medium such as air can pass. The housing 10 may have a rectangular shape and may include at side walls 9, 8, 7 and 6.

Arranged within the housing 10 is a pair of spaced parallel inner wall members 16. A pair of spaced parallel radiator cores 15 are supported by the wall members 16, and a plate 5 extends across the top of the wall members 16. A conduit 18 communicates with the radiator cores 15 through the medium of a pipe 4, and a second conduit 19 communicates with the other end of the cores 15 through the medium of a pipe 3, there ICC being a valve 2 in the conduit 18. The space'within the housing between the radiators 15 is indicated generally by the numeral 20, and the area or reservoirl surrounding the cores and wall members 16 is indicated generally by the numeral 21.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings there is shown a modified heat transfer apparatus which is indicated generally by the numeral 24, and the heat transfer apparatus 24 has the same function and operation as the previously described apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 except that the device shown in Figure 3 and 4 has an inner radiator core 25 which is of spiral or circular shape instead of rectangular. The apparatus in Figures 3 and 4 includes the spiral core 25 which is arranged within the housing 10 so that air to be heated or cooled will rst pass through the bars of the grill 13 and then through the convolutions of the spiral core 25 and out through the opening 14.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown a still further modification wherein the radiator cores within the housing 10 are indicated generally by the numeral 27. The cores 27 are arranged angularly with respect to each other and an end wall 28 extends across the upper ends thereof. Conduits 29 :may be connected to the cores for the passage therethrough of hot or cold water or steam.

In Figure 6 there is` shown a still further modification wherein the radiator cores are indicated by the numeral 30, and the cores 30 are arranged angularly with respect to each other and have their upper ends meeting or abutting each other. Conduits 31 and 32 may be connected to the radiator cores 30 for supplying or removing hot or cold water or steam therefrom.

The opening 14 is circular in formation and is defined by a cylindrical vertically disposed wall section 35 which has its upper end terminating in a horizontally disposed wall section 36. A vertically disposed lip 37 extends upwardly from this wall section 36, and the lip 37 engages the outer surface of the wall members 16. The numeral 38 indicates a skirt which depends from the plate 5 and which engages the upper outer portions of the wall members.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a heat transfer apparatus which can be used with various types of arrangements. When using the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, a suitable medium such as steam may be introduced from a source of supply through the conduit 18, then through the pipe 4 to the upper ends of the radiator cores 15. This fluid medium will then circulate down through the radiators 15 and leave through the pipe 3 and then leave through the conduit 19 whereby it can be returned to a reservoir or other locality. At the same time air or other medium can be conveyed from a source of supply through the space between the bars 13 and some of this air will enter the space 21 while the remaining portion of the air will pass through the cores 15 which are similar to radiator cores of an automobile. This air will be heated by radiation since the heat from the steam will give up some of its heat to the surrounding air and the air can then be directed to any suitable locality through the opening 14. In the event that the air is to be cooled, then a suitable uid medium such as cold water can be cir* culated through th-e conduits and through the radiators.

Instead of using the pair of radiators 15 as shown in Figures l and 2, a spiral radiator 25 can be used as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, the air to be heated or cooled will pass down through the grill bars 13 and then follow the path indicated by the arrows in Figures 3 and 4 so that the air will pass through the convolutions of the spiral radiator 25 and then out through the opening 14.

In Figure the air. to be-heated..or ,cooledwilhpass down through the grill bars 13, then through the pair of inclined radiator cores 27'aud then out through the openinggin the endtof the housing. In Figure V61the zair.:l is also@ adapted" toebew heatedors cooled., by the; radiator; coreszswhich are-arranged in :a different. angulanpositionff.

The construction of the apparatus is such tthatfthercf;

will .besa maximum heat transfer between thentwoxdifferentl mediums.: Withsthe.presentinvention:it is not necessary to use za combustion .type furnace for providing hot air, sincef hot air, can beprovidedby the heat ex# The air; is.; heatedi by both; the;v inner; surface. andthe.: outer: surface. of, the radiators'r'l change 1 arrangement.v

sothat` av more eiective heat ,transfertakes place.Av

I claim:

In aheat transfer apparatus,;awerticallyldisposed outerliousinghaving -ak rectangular shape-xands'including 'a plm rality of flat side walls, said:side -,walls1all beingofctheg samefs'ire;` a .bottom Wall provided ,Witha central opening,:

said opening being circular -iniormationand being'dened bya cylindrical vertically disposed Wallsection which has grill for thepassage-therethrougb of air, a'pair of. `verti i cally .disposedradiators .extending betweensaid .wall mem?, bers and arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other, said radiators and wall members being disposed in abutting relationship and dening an inner rectangular housing, said radiators and Wall members being spaced from and parallel t0 certain of the side wallsl of the outer housing, said radiators adapted to have air sucked therethrough, aplate extending across the top of said'wall l members,1 a'skirt depending from said plate and engagingfthe upper outer portions of the wall members, conduits connected to the opposite ends of said. radiators -'and;extending through said housing, said radiators dening therebetween a space, the air being heated by both the inner surface and the outer surface of the radiators so that a more effective heat transfer takes place, there being an air reservoir formed between the wall members and radiators and walls of saidiiouter housing; .som'efofy the air passing-throughrthe grill entering the reservoir and: the remainingportion of the air passing through the radiators so that the air will" be-fheatedeby J 'radiation,n the incoming lair to `,tbe treated being drawnnto the fair. reservoir. 1

References Cited in the le of this patent GieatfsBx-itain:4 May 21, 1931 

